Electrochemiluminescent reaction utilizing amine-derived reductant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition suitable for use in an ECL assay wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the composition is detected. The composition includes an amine or amine moiety which, when oxidized by exposure to an effective amount of electrochemical energy, forms a strong reducing agent in the composition; and an electrolyte capable of functioning as a medium in which an ECL moiety and the amine or amine moiety can be oxidized by exposure to electrochemical energy.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An aqueous reagent composition comprising 
       (a) tripropylamine at a concentration greater than 50 mM but less than 200 mM;  
       (b) an electrolyte that buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 9; and  
       (c) a surfactant,  
       wherein said aqueous reagent composition is suitable for use in an electrochemiluminescence assay. 
     
     
       2. The reagent composition of  claim 1  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH greater than or equal to 7.0. 
     
     
       3. The reagent composition of  claim 1  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. 
     
     
       4. The reagent composition of  claim 1  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM. 
     
     
       5. The reagent composition of  claim 1  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       6. The reagent composition of  claim 1  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH in a range of 6.5-8.5, said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM and said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       7. The reagent composition of  claim 1  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate and said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to −100 mM. 
     
     
       8. An aqueous reagent composition consisting essentially of 
       (a) water;  
       (b) tripropylamine at a concentration greater than 50 mM;  
       (c) an electrolyte that buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 9; and  
       (d) optionally, a surfactant,  
       wherein said composition is suitable for use in an electrochemiluminescence assay. 
     
     
       9. The reagent composition of  claim 8  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH greater than or equal to 7.0. 
     
     
       10. The reagent composition of  claim 8  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. 
     
     
       11. The reagent composition of  claim 8  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM. 
     
     
       12. The reagent composition of  claim 8  comprising said surfactant. 
     
     
       13. The reagent composition of  claim 8  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       14. The reagent composition of  claim 8  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH in a range of 6.5-8.5, said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM, said composition comprises said surfactant, and said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       15. The reagent composition of  claim 8  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate, said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM and said composition comprises said surfactant. 
     
     
       16. The reagent composition of  claim 8 , wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is between 50 and 300 mM. 
     
     
       17. An aqueous reagent composition consisting of 
       (a) water;  
       (b) tripropylamine at a concentration greater than 50 mM;  
       (c) an electrolyte that buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 9; and  
       (d) optionally, a surfactant,  
       wherein said composition is suitable for use in an electrochemiluminescence assay. 
     
     
       18. The reagent composition of  claim 17  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH greater than or equal to 7.0. 
     
     
       19. The reagent composition of  claim 17  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. 
     
     
       20. The reagent composition of  claim 17  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM. 
     
     
       21. The reagent composition of  claim 17  comprising said surfactant. 
     
     
       22. The reagent composition of  claim 17  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       23. The reagent composition of  claim 17  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH in a range of 6.5-8.5, said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM, said composition comprises said surfactant, and said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       24. The reagent composition of  claim 17  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate, said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM and said composition comprises said surfactant. 
     
     
       25. The reagent composition of  claim 17 , wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is between 50 and 300 mM. 
     
     
       26. An aqueous reagent composition comprising: 
       (a) tripropylamine at a concentration of greater than 50 mM, but less than 200 mM; and  
       (b) an electrolyte that buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 9,  
       wherein said aqueous reagent composition is suitable for use in an electrochemiluminescence assay. 
     
     
       27. The reagent composition of  claim 26  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH greater than or equal to 7.0. 
     
     
       28. The reagent composition of  claim 26  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. 
     
     
       29. The reagent composition of  claim 26  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM. 
     
     
       30. The reagent composition of  claim 26  wherein said electrolyte comprises phosphate. 
     
     
       31. The composition of claim in  26 , wherein said composition consists essentially of (a) and (b). 
     
     
       32. An aqueous reagent composition consisting essentially of 
       (a) water  
       (b) tripropylamine at a concentration of greater than 50 mM; and  
       (c) an electrolyte comprising phosphate that buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 9,  
       wherein said aqueous reagent composition is suitable for use in an electrochemiluminescence assay. 
     
     
       33. The reagent composition of  claim 32  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH greater than or equal to 7.0. 
     
     
       34. The reagent composition of  claim 32  wherein said electrolyte buffers said composition to a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. 
     
     
       35. The reagent composition of  claim 32  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is greater than or equal to 100 mM. 
     
     
       36. The reagent composition of  claim 32  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is between 50 mM and 200 mM. 
     
     
       37. The composition of  claim 32  wherein said concentration of tripropylamine is between 50 mM and 200 mM.